PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rory Lyons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Everybody Knows My Name. Rory Lyons had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.6lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Mike Holmes is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Lyons
vs
Holmes

192 cm
29
206 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

184 cm
33
196 lbs
32 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
The Big Kabosh

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rory Lyons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Lyons. That's going to slow Holmes down.
Holmes tries to land a front kick but Lyons steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Holmes blocks a low kick nicely.
Lyons scores with a jab to the body.
Holmes throws a push kick but Lyons slaps the foot to one side.
Holmes moves out of range as Lyons throws a body kick.
Lyons has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Brotherhood Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Holmes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lyons.

It looks like Rory Lyons has been cut.
Lyons looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Holmes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lyons throws a leg kick but Holmes sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lyons throws a front kick aimed at Holmes's knee but Holmes avoids it well.
Lyons tests Holmes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lyons throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Lyons has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes misses with a knee to the head.
Lyons tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Holmes smiles and moves away.

Holmes gets caught napping as Lyons dives in and scores a takedown. Holmes manages to retain guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lyons trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Holmes is pulling down on Lyons's head. It's preventing any offense from Lyons, at least for the moment.
Lyons postures up.
Lyons landing with the ground and pound.
Holmes manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lyons tries to reverse the position but Holmes maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyons tries to hold on but Holmes postures up.
Holmes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lyons bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Lyons wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.
Lyons throwing strikes but missing.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Lyons from controlling successfully.
Holmes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mike Holmes has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Holmes takes a swing at Lyons's ribcage but misses.
Holmes scores with a jab to the body.
Holmes defending well as Lyons loads up on a big left hand.
Holmes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lyons motions for Holmes to come forward. Lyons throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lyons throws a sloppy head kick
and Holmes finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Holmes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lyons prevents a body shot from Holmes.
Lyons stalls.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lyons is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Holmes is keeping busy.
Holmes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lyons has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Holmes has a couple of punches blocked by Lyons.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes trying to land knees to the body.
Holmes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lyons has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lyons tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
Holmes scores with a knee to the head.
Lyons misses with the head strike.
Lyons makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holmes takes a shot to the head.
Lyons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Holmes has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Lyons seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Holmes can turn it around.
Lyons tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Holmes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Holmes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lyons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Lyons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holmes tries to land a knee to the head but Lyons blocks with his arms.
Holmes misses with a punch on the inside.
Lyons tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rory Lyons will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rory Lyons's cut.
That's time! Lyons's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lyons throws a nice looking combination but Holmes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Lyons moves into the clinch successfully.
Lyons works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Lyons throws a head punch that misses.
Lyons has a couple of punches blocked by Holmes.
Holmes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lyons misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holmes has a couple of punches blocked by Lyons.
Holmes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lyons's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Lyons fails to land.
Lyons looking to slow down the pace here.
Lyons throws a head punch that misses.
Holmes lands a right hand.

Lyons breaks from the clinch.
Holmes throws a sloppy head kick and Lyons moves out of range easily.
Lyons throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyons looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Holmes is fending him off so far but Lyons persists. Nope, Holmes circles away and we're back to standing.
Holmes moves out of range of the body kick.
Holmes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lyons.
Holmes throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lyons is looking to chop away at Holmes's legs.
Holmes stuffs the takedown.
Holmes scores with a nice body kick.
Lyons looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lyons tries to land a body kick
and Holmes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Holmes checks a leg kick.
Lyons tries to clinch but Holmes is having none of it.

Holmes clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lyons blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holmes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lyons managing to block the knees to the body from Holmes.

Lyons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lyons gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lyons throws a leg kick that is checked
and Holmes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick by Lyons misses
and Holmes counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Lyons looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Holmes is looking to control Lyons's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Holmes avoid being mounted?
Holmes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lyons's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lyons's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyons staying busy and making it hard for Holmes to control.
Holmes controlling from the back.
Holmes has the hooks in. Lyons is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Lyons is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Holmes is hanging on to Lyons's back as he tries to escape.
Holmes tries to get the hooks in deep but Lyons pushed the leg off.
Rory Lyons overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Lyons is really stuck here.
Lyons covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Holmes controlling well, preventing Lyons from escaping the position.
Holmes is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Holmes avoiding Lyons 's attempts to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Holmes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes keeps control of the position as Lyons tries to break free.
Holmes really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Lyons.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mike Holmes.
Holmes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lyons tries to clinch but Holmes moves away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Holmes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rory Lyons's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Holmes connects with a looping right hand.
Lyons lands a head kick!
Lyons takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lyons tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good exchange - Holmes coming out on top.
Lyons walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lyons moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Lyons scores with the left hand. Holmes knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes looks for the body kick but Lyons saw that one coming.

Holmes has closed the distance and engaged Lyons in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Lyons scores with a nice short uppercut.
Holmes struggles to land a body shot inside as Lyons controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes looking to throw knees to the head but Lyons is blocking nicely.
Mike Holmes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lyons lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Holmes or not.
Lyons swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lyons misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lyons is trying to pull guard but Holmes has him pressed against the cage.
Holmes lands with a right to the head.
Holmes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lyons backwards.
Lyons lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Lyons is leaning against Holmes and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Holmes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lyons blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lyons stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Holmes misses with a body punch.
Lyons lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lyons breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mike Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holmes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lyons.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lyons throws out a loose jab but Holmes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holmes throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Lyons counters with an outside leg kick.
Lyons throws the kick towards the body but Holmes avoids it.

Holmes moves into the clinch.
Lyons misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holmes misses with a knee strike.
A body shot lands from Holmes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holmes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Holmes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Holmes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Holmes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holmes digs a right hand into Lyons's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lyons's gas tank.
Lyons misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Holmes lands a body shot in the clinch.
Holmes lands a nice shot to the body.
Holmes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holmes landing knees to the head.
Holmes connects with a knee to the head.
Holmes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holmes lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lyons misses with a punch to the body.
Lyons working aggressively here.
Holmes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lyons is trying to break free.
Lyons can't find room to land a body shot as Holmes controls the action.
Holmes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lyons's face.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lyons misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lyons tries to break free but Holmes pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes blocks a body shot from Lyons.
Holmes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lyons has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Holmes lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Lyons fails to land.
Lyons throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holmess head.
Holmes scores with a shoulder strike.
Holmes keeps control of Lyons as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holmes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lyons blocks it with crossed arms.
Holmes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lyons makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holmes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Holmes scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holmes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lyons on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lyons cracks Holmes with a nice body shot.
Holmes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Holmes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holmes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Holmes!
Mike Holmes decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.